Mapping exercise for 2023 National Population and Housing census nears completion: UBOS
Drake Nyamugabwa
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) a body mandated to collect, produce and disseminate national statistics is set to finalize the mapping exercise around April 2023, will be followed by the National Population and Housing census scheduled to be conducted from August 2023 throughout the country.
The mapping exercise that commenced early this year has already covered most districts in Uganda and expected to finalize with others at the beginning of year 2023.
During the statistics week that started from 14th through Friday18th November 2023, UBOS experts revealed that the mapping exercise still going on is now at 70% remaining with some district that will be covered starting with December 2022 including Apac, Kisoro, Kabale, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Kibaale, Kyegegwa, Kitgum, Kanungu, Kikuube among others.
In a presentation by the GIS Officer, UBOS Norman Ntalo in above picture said that prior to the national census, the statistics body has been carrying out mapping exercises to collect data and update maps previous in enumerations for social structure facilities and house hold levels among others to update the population estimates.
“Towards every census, there is census mapping, it was carried out during the previous enumerations of 2002, 2014. Now its again ongoing but this time its digital using technology to collect and update maps previously used” he said
Ntalo said that the purpose f the mapping exercise is to develop sampling frameworks for the future use, capture and process all data both spatial and non-spatial, analyze and disseminate through maps, websites and media among others.
The maps according to UBOS guide data collection in census especially enabling completion while avoiding duplication, determine the number of logistics to be procured, use of satellite imagery improves on quality of EA small maps to reduce cost and time among other benefits.
The Director, Population and Social Studies at UBOS Hellen Nviiri while giving her remarks underscored the importance of using Geo-spatial information Systems in statistical production including monitoring, evaluations, monitoring gadgets, Human resource among others to ascertain areas covered and track operations.
“GIS has improved systems using statistics for management through tracking information collected, monitoring, truck field operations” she said
The statistical week activities and events included a blood donation drive in different areas, Launch of the agriculture Survey indicators, a seminar, a GIS Day, among others.
